Seawater Desert Greenhouses

The Seawater Greenhouse transforms seawater into fresh water, salt, nutrients as well as cool, humid air, enabling crops to be grown in hot, arid regions.

Published by

Aug 30. 2017

The world is not short of water; it is just in the wrong places and too salty. Converting seawater to fresh water, in the right places, offers great potential for agriculture. Seawater Greenhouse uses seawater to cool, sterilize and humidify the air going into their greenhouses. Cooler and more humid conditions in the Seawater Greenhouses reduce the water demand of plants by 4 to 8 times compared to plants grown outside, according to the company. In addition to the water savings, both the yield and quality of crops are higher.

Why you should care

Agriculture uses 60 to 80% of the planet’s scarce fresh water resources. With an increasing global demand for fresh water, agriculture is under pressure to become more water-efficient, as it is one of the most water-dependent sectors. By harnessing abundant seawater, Seawater Greenhouse is helping to reduce the pressure on fresh water resources and bring sustainable agriculture to arid, drought-prone areas.

HOW THE GLOBAL GOALS ARE ADDRESSED

Zero Hunger

Growing food in some of the most arid areas of the world can help to feed growing populations and provide food for the approximately 800 million who are chronically undernourished.

Clean water and sanitation

Agriculture is estimated to use 60 to 80% of the world’s fresh water. By utilising seawater instead, fresh water can be reserved for drinking, sanitation and other uses.

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Innovative solutions like this from Seawater Greenhouses can help sustainable agricultural practices flourish in developing countries where small scale farms are expanding.

Life on land

Being able to grow crops in aid environments like coastal deserts reduces the pressure on fertile lands, meaning more forests and grasslands can be conserved for biodiversity.

GLOBAL GOALS ADDRESSED

Growing food in some of the most arid areas of the world can help to feed growing populations and provide food for the approximately 800 million who are chronically undernourished.

Agriculture is estimated to use 60 to 80% of the world’s fresh water. By utilising seawater instead, fresh water can be reserved for drinking, sanitation and other uses.

Innovative solutions like this from Seawater Greenhouses can help sustainable agricultural practices flourish in developing countries where small scale farms are expanding.

Being able to grow crops in aid environments like coastal deserts reduces the pressure on fertile lands, meaning more forests and grasslands can be conserved for biodiversity.